Shloka 12

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

त्रिधा भिन्नो ह्यहं विष्णो ब्रह्मविष्णुभवाख्यया सर्गरक्षालयगुणैर् निष्कलः परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

tridhā bhinno hyahaṃ viṣṇo brahmaviṣṇubhavākhyayā sargarakṣālayaguṇair niṣkalaḥ parameśvaraḥ

Translation

ഹേ വിഷ്ണോ! സൃഷ്ടി, പരിപാലനം, ലയം എന്നീ ഗുണങ്ങൾ അനുസരിച്ച് എന്നെ ബ്രഹ്മാ, വിഷ്ണു, ഭവ എന്നിങ്ങനെ ത്രിവിധമായി വിളിക്കുന്നു; എന്നാൽ സത്യത്തിൽ ഞാൻ നിഷ്കല പരമേശ്വരൻ, എല്ലാ പരിധികളിലും അതീതൻ।

Word by Word

• त्रिधा (tridhā): in three ways/threefold

• भिन्नः (bhinnaḥ): differentiated/appearing as distinct

• हि (hi): indeed

• अहम् (aham): I

• विष्णो (viṣṇo): O Viṣṇu / O all-pervading one

• ब्रह्म-विष्णु-भव-आख्यया (brahma-viṣṇu-bhava-ākhyayā): by the names ‘Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Bhava’

• सर्ग-रक्षा-लय-गुणैः (sarga-rakṣā-laya-guṇaiḥ): by the qualities/functions of creation, protection, and dissolution

• निष्कलः (niṣkalaḥ): partless, without divisions/attributes

• परमेश्वरः (parameśvaraḥ): the Supreme Lord (Pati)

Speaker

Shiva (as Parameshvara) addressing Vishnu within the Purana’s internal dialogue, framed by Suta’s narration

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Bhava

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It grounds Linga worship in the niṣkala (partless) Parameśvara: the Linga signifies the one Shiva who appears as the three cosmic functions yet remains transcendent, making the Linga a direct symbol of Pati beyond all forms.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is presented as the one Supreme Lord who, by māyā’s functional distinctions, is named Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Bhava for sṛṣṭi-sthiti-laya, while in essence he is niṣkala—unlimited, undivided, and sovereign as Parameśvara.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights tattva-jñāna (right understanding) used in Shaiva upāsanā: worship and meditation should be directed to the one niṣkala Pati (often contemplated through the Linga), rather than stopping at the three functional manifestations.